FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Ethical Standards- Integrity
Educators should continuously reflect on their lessons
Ensure that students understand the content; Students did not gain any misconceptions and if they had them, they were debunked.
Commitment to Students and Student Learning
Treat students equitably and with respect and are sensitive to factors that influence individual learning
Leadership in Learning Communities
Promote and participate in the creation of collaborative, safe and supportive learning communities
Educators should continuously reflect on their lessons
- It is important for teachers to see what works and what doesn't. In this unit, there may be conflicts in beliefs when teaching evolution. If sensitivities arise at the beginning of the unit, it's important for educators to either prepare to ensure that students understand that to study evolutionary biology does not imply a belief, but only an idea, or to generate extra sensitivity throughout the unit from then on.
Ensure that students understand the content; Students did not gain any misconceptions and if they had them, they were debunked.
- Many of the terms and ideas in this unit tend to go over students head. While content may seem absorbed to them, there are many misconceptions that can easily arise. It is important for teachers to debunk these misconceptions throughout the lessons, and ensure students develop an understanding and not just a vague knowledge.
Commitment to Students and Student Learning
Treat students equitably and with respect and are sensitive to factors that influence individual learning
- There is a wide debate between evolution and creationism. It is possible that some students may have strong opinions and may be resistant to the teaching of evolution. It is important to identify these students as they may not be outspoken about their views. This is especially important in a Catholic School.
Leadership in Learning Communities
Promote and participate in the creation of collaborative, safe and supportive learning communities
- Schools are not only a place of learning course material, but learning how to be a community citizen. By promoting working together and collaborative work, it will teach students to work well with others in their lives outside of school as well. It will teach students to work as part of a team, as leaders and as followers.